ERIC Number: EJ1153363
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1361-4533
EISSN: N/A
A Community of Practice Approach to Delivering Research Support Services in a Post-92 Higher Education Institution: A Reflective Case Study
Coombs, Jenny; Thomas, Mandy; Rush, Nathan; Martin, Elizabeth
New Review of Academic Librarianship, v23 n2-3 p159-170 2017
The need for research support in U.K. universities is growing at a fast pace and a number of different professional and academic units within universities are involved in the process. This case study takes place in a post-92 higher education institution and discusses the benefit of utilizing a cross-university Community of Practice (CoP) approach to delivering research support services. It takes a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews to ascertain the personal experiences of community members. The article's key findings for successful implementation include a common sense of purpose; a shared concern or passion about the research agenda; a sense of community and belonging; trust; a safe environment; and senior management support. Added benefit is demonstrated by enhanced staff knowledge, increased job satisfaction, and profile-raising of the Library and Learning Service. The findings can help libraries in similar positions to use collaborative initiatives to develop research support services.
Descriptors: Communities of Practice, Case Studies, Higher Education, Delivery Systems, Qualitative Research, Semi Structured Interviews, Academic Libraries, Models, Librarian Attitudes, Learning Motivation, Sense of Community, Trust (Psychology), Shared Resources and Services, Organizational Climate, Organizational Culture, Program Effectiveness, Research Projects, Enrichment Activities, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A